Welcome to The Manager’s Playbook, my personal newsletter where I share insights from Music Executives and Artists for aspiring and emerging music managers, executives and artists on how to navigate the music industry. This newsletter is brought to you by Mauricio Ruiz.

THE MANAGER’S PLAYBOOK PODCAST

(FEAT. Sickick)

Sickick didn’t set out to be a case study in music business survival.

He became one because he had to.

Like a lot of artists who break through on sheer talent, momentum came fast. Fans came faster. The machine started moving before the foundation was fully built. And that’s where things get dangerous.

One of the most important moments from our recent conversation wasn’t about EDM, algorithms, or touring. It was this:

That line landed because it’s lived-in truth. Not theory or bitterness.

Experience.

The Artist Lens (and Why It’s Incomplete Alone)

Most artists are trained to think creatively, not structurally.

You’re taught to write, produce, perform, connect. Rarely are you taught to understand contracts, cash flow, systems, or incentives.

Sickick lived that reality.

Early on, the focus was music and audience. The business lived in someone else’s hands. And when those hands weren’t aligned, everything suffered - clarity, peace of mind, and ultimately control.

This is where many artists lose years.

Not because they lack talent but because they outsourced understanding.

Knowing the Industry vs. Needing the Industry

There’s a difference between needing the industry and knowing the industry.

Sickick’s evolution came when he began learning the mechanics behind what was happening around him:

• how money moved

• how teams were structured

• where decisions were being made without him

• and why trust without literacy is a liability

Once he understood the system, he could finally participate in it instead of being dragged by it.

That’s when the shift happened.

Not away from managers or partners. Toward informed collaboration.

Team Building Is a Business Skill

One of the biggest takeaways from Sickick’s journey is that team building is not an emotional decision, it’s an operational one.

The right team:

• reduces friction

• creates systems

• protects the artist’s energy

• and scales what already works

The wrong team does the opposite. Slowly, quietly. Over time.

Sickick rebuilt around trust and alignment, not titles. Family. People who understood both the creative and the business. Roles became clear. Accountability became real.

That’s not anti-industry. That’s professional.

Artist + Entrepreneur Is No Longer Optional

The days of “just focus on the music” are over.

Today’s artist is a brand, a company, and a distribution node all at once. That doesn’t mean you do everything yourself. It means you understand enough to:

• ask better questions

• spot misalignment early

• protect your upside

• and know when something feels off for a reason

Sickick didn’t lose his artistic edge by learning the business. He gained leverage.

The mask may have protected his identity early on, but knowledge is what protected his future.

The Real Lesson

Sickick isn’t anti-manager,

anti-label,

Or anti-system.

He’s anti-blind trust.

And that’s the lesson every artist needs to hear sooner than later.

Learn the business not to control everything, but so nothing controls you.

Because when you understand how the machine works, you don’t get swallowed by it.

You decide how close you want to stand to it.

And that’s where real longevity begins.

Watch Episode 53 with Sickick LIVE NOW

1:1 CONSULTATIONS WITH RUIZ

I’m offering private 1-on-1 sessions for artists, managers, and execs who want real, practical advice on how to move their careers forward.

With 16 years in the music business and experience working with some of the biggest artists and executives in the world, I can share insights, strategy and ways to execute the pain points in your career as it currently stands.

Book your private consultation below.

Bio

I’m Mauricio Ruiz, the host and creator of The Manager’s Playbook podcast, dedicated to demystifying the world of music management, and Founder/CEO of 8 Til Faint, an Artist Management company with over 5 billion audio streams worldwide. Our past and current clients include Grammy nominated, Juno Award winning multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Jessie Reyez, Skratch Bastid and more.

I am also the Co-Founder of Mad Ruk Entertainment, a content agency with over 3 billion long form video streams worldwide. Our client list includes The Weeknd, Eminem, and Celine Dion, along with renowned brands like Nike, Pernod Ricard and the NBA.

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